Various non-governmental organizations exist to tackle different sets of problems. Some fight against hunger and poverty, some work towards uplifting the position of women in society, and some for other issues.
Anyone can start an NGO. However, there are various procedures and steps involved, and you will have to go through them if you want to create a successful NGO. Also, there are specific prerequisites that you will have to keep in mind before getting your NGO registered.
Registering an NGO in a country like the United States can get a little cumbersome. There is a tremendous amount of paperwork involved in the process. Also, you being at the helm of the affairs might require you to document all of these papers independently.
A grant writing certification might help you in getting a better understanding of how these papers are written. There are several courses on grant writing available online. You can pick one which fulfills all your requirements.
Registering an NGO
Registration of the NGO is essential if you want to carry out some set of activities. There are multiple benefits of getting an NGO registered. To start with, you can get your NGO registered to avoid any legal troubles that come along your way.
Any document released by your NGO would be legally binding on the other parties only if your NGO is registered. If you want to reap the benefits like exemption of taxes imposed by the federal and the state governments, it is better to get your NGO registered.
Getting the NGO registered would safeguard you from all the problems that lie ahead. Having a structure in mind is very important if you are starting an NGO. A good structure will make your entire registration experience seamless.
Deciding on a name for your NGO is very important. If you plan on keeping a name that already exists, you might land up in some trouble. Therefore, make sure that you develop a unique name, and the NGO can get incorporated very quickly.
Also, it would be best if you formed a board of members who will be running the NGO. The finalization of the board of directors is critical before getting the NGO registered. It would be best to decide whether the NGO would be a trust, an association, or a corporation.
Paperwork
With the help of all your board members, you will have to draft the operating rules of your organization. An experience in grant writing would come in handy in a situation like this. You can even take up a grant writing certification to understand the intricacies involved in coming up with such documents and paperwork.
Filing incorporation paperwork is a critical step in starting your NGO. The paperwork will also help you in applying for tax exemption. Different states have different requirements for paperwork, but once you understand the needs, it will not be a challenging task.
You will have to come up with a short description of your organization, along with a name and the mission of your NGO. You will also have to state the address of any agent from where the NGO’s activities will be carried out. Also, you will have to bear a small fee that has to be paid while filing the paperwork.
You might also need to register with the state charity official, depending on the nature of your NGO. The process gets carried out very quickly as there is no approval required. This is done to keep the authorities from abusing their power.
You may also have to apply to IRS to avail certain kinds of tax exemptions. The IRS has simple instructions in place that need to be followed. Also, you need to make sure that you get all the necessary licenses and permits while you are getting your paperwork done.
Foreign NGOs
Wondering if you can register your NGO in the US if you are from some other country? Yes, you definitely can. You have to fill a non-profit entity form and get yourself registered.
The foreign Government generally funds a foreign NGO, but you might have your reasons for starting your NGO in some other country. You might want to tackle a problem that is specific to that country or something similar. Such NGOs work alongside the Government and are pretty common.
If you are a foreign NGO, register and file your taxes on time to stay away from any complications. Also, if you want to apply for tax exemption, the process remains the same. You need a license to operate in a state of your choice.
Post-registration
The major work gets carried out during the registration. However, the Government does not get involved in your mission as there are no parallels that can be drawn between your organization and the Government.
You can also add additional members to your NGO. There is no need to keep the Government in the loop about any such decisions. You can conduct various activities and outreach programs without keeping the Government in the loop.
You can reach out to different organizations and ask them to fund your NGO. Also, you can get into various collaborations and partnerships with other NGOs throughout the world. You can also get in touch with foreign donors who are willing to donate funds to your organization.
NGOs are known to be free organizations. They are granted the freedom of association and expression to work for the community without any hindrance. NGOs can get involved and can encourage any nonpartisan political activities.
An NGO needs to use the rights given very carefully. The rights are provided so that the NGO can contribute towards the betterment of society and not indulge in any black-marketing practices. Make sure that you take various immigration laws and other related laws into consideration while carrying out your regular operational activities.
Registering an NGO is relatively easy. Once registered, make sure that your NGO does not violate any rules or regulations. That way, no government organization will be meddling with your way of working.
